Taumoefolau reaches 10 NPC tries as Tasman Mako demolish Southland 41-17

Kyren Taumoefolau has reached 10 tries in the National Provincial Championship this season after scoring in Tasman Mako’s emphatic 41-17 victory over Southland at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park, continuing one of the most prolific individual runs in the competition’s recent history.

The 23-year-old Tongan international had already made headlines the week before, bagging five tries against Counties Manukau — a tally that equalled Terry Wright’s all-time record for tries in a single NPC match and broke the all-time Tasman record previously held by Macca Springer. He opened his account this season with a hat-trick against North Harbour in round one before adding another score two rounds later, meaning he has now crossed the whitewash seven times across just his last two appearances.

Saturday’s match was tightly contested in the first half, with Southland halfback Nic Shearer and Tasman flanker Johnny Lee trading early tries before Sam Fischli put the visitors back in front. Taumoefolau’s 33rd-minute score sent the teams into the break level at 12-all, and it was the Mako who seized control in the final quarter.

Lopeti Faifua and Maloni Kunawave both crossed to put Tasman firmly in command around the hour mark. David Havili added a sixth try for the home side, with brother William Havili converting, before Taine Robinson’s effort in the 71st minute pushed Tasman past 40 points. Taumoefolau had the final word: in the last play of the game, David Havili set up Kunawave for what appeared a certain score, but the fullback unselfishly gifted the ball to Taumoefolau, who touched down for his seventh try in two games.

“Strong Southland side so pretty happy with that,” Tasman captain Johnny Lee said after the final whistle. “The effort from all the boys — one to 23, everyone showed up and happy with that result.”

Taumoefolau, who could potentially switch Test allegiances from Tonga to the All Blacks in October, will have another opportunity to add to his tally next weekend when Tasman travel to Northland for a Ranfurly Shield challenge. The Taniwha claimed the Shield on Thursday evening, ending a near 50-year drought with a 36-12 win over Canterbury.

“Pretty emotional, man,” Northland captain Rivez Reihana said after the Shield victory. “We spoke about it at the start of the week — we wanted to inspire the next generation, and the only way we were going to do that was to bring back the Shield. What I’m most proud of is the effort areas we showed on defence.”

Northland currently sit second in the NPC standings, with Tasman close behind in third. Hawke’s Bay remain the competition’s only unbeaten side after a comprehensive win over Manawatu on Friday.